Formula One: Petrov stays with Renault till 2013
Vitaly Petrov and Renault looked to be a failed marriage verily heading for divorce. However, amidst months of speculation, the French based constructors have finally announced that the Russian driver will stay with the team for another 2 years.
With the prospects of a future Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for 2014, the Russian driver will ideally be hoping to stay in the business and be able to race in front of his home fans.
Reflecting upon the growth of Formula One in Russia, this is what the youngster had to say:
"You can feel that the sport is becoming more popular and soon we will have our own grand prix, which will create more interest. Even our prime minister, Mr Putin, got a taste of F1 when he tried a Renault F1 car earlier this year."
However, while it is evident that the Russian is a fan favourite back home, his primary test would be becoming a successful prospect for the team this year. The 2010 Formula One season saw the driver play second fiddle to a consistently impressive Robert
Kubica. Petrov should ideally be looking to justify Renault’s decision of opting to re-sign him.
"My objective is to continue improving as a driver and to become more consistent. There were times this year when I made mistakes and lost points, and I know this is where I can improve,” he said.
Based on Petrov’s performances this year, perhaps it won’t be a long shot to call him a fast driver. However, while lack of speed has never been a concern, consistency has been a gaping hole in the youngster’s resume. Renault has been a respectable team,
to be fair. The French based team were seen as prominent party-pooper’s to the Ferrari, McLaren Mercedes and Red Bull podium party. With such credentials therefore, Formula One critics all round would be quick to jump onto the ‘seemingly average’ partner to
Robert Kubica on the track.
Looking at the bigger picture, Formula One is scheduled to undergo several major regulation changes come next season. Realising that fact, Kubica added:
"There are quite a few changes that we have to adapt to as a team: new tyres, moveable rear wings and KERS, which I've never used before. There's even a new race in India.”
On that note, one must question Renault’s decision to stick with the same driver line-up for an increasingly challenging 2011. However, whether Petrov is able to withstand that pressure and be able to compliment Kubica remains to be seen.
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